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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

When the words, “Thrift Shop” come to mind, the one word automatic cognitive association is junk; old junk, worn junk –simply someone else’s junk!But I challenge you to rethink your preconceived notions and instead think of your local thrift store as a Treasure Chest –a veritable treasure trove of wares looking for the right owner; for not everything in a second hand store is old and not everything is junk.

Case in point these brand new Apple Bottom Missy sandals*.

Retail price for these (new) are $69.00!I paid $3.00!That’s 96% percent savings for a total of $66.00off…now tell me where can you find a deal like that?

Look at all the goodies, you can find:

And look at these Christian Louboutin’s my friend scored…with the lining still covering the outsole of the shoe…$700 shoes in a thrift store?Don’t you wish you had been thrifting sooner?

I gotta run…I feel like dancing, and these baby’s have ‘dancing ‘til the sun comes up’ written all over them!

Monday, May 30, 2011

After a day at the beach, there isn’t much for me to do except eat!I worked hard to get bikini-body-ready, and I’m starving!

But before I indulge in my favorite pizza, I shall leave you with this bit of advice.Be kind to your feet (advice I need to heed myself).Shoes, boots, and even the dry hot weather can be rough on your feet, making them appear, well…rough!A tip I got from a local friend of mine is to massage your feet (and body for that matter) with olive oil.I bought jasmine scented olive oil and it is so soothing on dry tired skin.Try it…you may like it!

Today, my shoes are taking us to the south-eastern shore and to my favorite summertime destination –Fontane Bianche.Literally translated, White Fountains, Fontane Bianche boasts of the one thing most other Sicilian beaches do not have –white sand.Black sandy beaches to the North (Aeolian Islands), Rocky Beaches to the East (Taormina), and RedSandyBeaches to the West (Selinunte), these white sands and crystal clear water attracts not just Sicilians, but tourists from the entire European Union.

We happened along this beach four years ago and return a couple times a week throughout the summer.Venturing onto an Italian beach is just that –an adventure!Without much regard to personal space, as the temperatures rise, don’t expect much room between you and your beach neighbors.But that’s okay…arrive early (most locals don’t show up until after breakfast) to secure the best spot (we preferred near the water’s edge), and bring some food.I consider myself a profession beachgoer, so we bring food (and water) for the entire day.We also bring chairs and umbrellas –the Sicilian sun is desert sun and can become quite hot, quite quickly…don’t forget the SPF 50!

Note Bene 1

During beach season, it is not unusually to seen ‘vendors’ along the beach.They are usually carrying their wares or wearing them (hats), and will ask you if you would like to buy something.Be forewarned…they sell things that you can find at the market (or store, i.e. beach paraphernalia), but usually at an increased price.Sunglasses at the beach may cost you 10 Euros, where you could find the same sunglasses for a Euro or two at the market.But if you find yourself without a towel, paddle boards, water wings, earrings, sunglasses, cover-ups, soccer balls, a head scratcher, an inflatable tube, a beach ball, a sand pail or a bracelet, they are a quick fix.

Note Bene 2

If you a more of a Lido (paid beach) person, but would like to try this local beach, go for it!Don’t worry about food, there is a bar on the beach that serves every thing from espresso to sandwiches…and ice cream (gelato)!

Note Bene 3

Driving, take the Tangenziale toward Siracusa.After you have passed the Siracusa exits, continue south towards Gela.Exit at Cassibilie (the Cassibile exit is about 8 km after Siracusa).At the end of the ramp turn left, then make a quick right.Continue on SS 115 towards Noto/Avola/Fontane Bianche.About ½ mile down on your left, you’ll see the brown sign pointing towards Fontane Bianche.Turn left and continue on the main road about a mile until you see the restaurant La Spiaggetta on your right (it’s the one with the seahorse).

Immediately after the restaurant, turn left into the parking lot.This area is parking for the restaurant and the beach.The cost for parking here is 3 Euros for ½ day (mezzo giorno) or 5 Euros for the entire day (tutto girono).Although there is no gate closing the parking area, the times read from 0800 in the morning to 1900 in the evening.

Note Bene 4

Do not park on the road.We did our first year because that was where everyone else parked; saving three Euros for the 7 or 8 times we made it to the beach.Out lst visit that first year, we returned to our vehicle to fine our car, along with the 15 others parked near by ticketed –to the sum of 30 Euros –which averaged out to 3.75 Euros a trip…but when you pay and Italian parking ticket, you pay the ticket price, plus you have to pay for them to process it.And if you don’t live in the province where you received the ticket, unless you return to that particular province, you have to pay for them to process the ticket where you pay it and where the ticket was issued!

So I saved the pictures of my shoes (and me) for the last...a little camera shy I suppose...and yes, I do wear flip flops on the beach!

She walks in beauty, like the nightOf cloudless climes and starry skies;And all that's best of dark and brightMeet in her aspect and her eyes:Thus mellow'd to that tender lightWhich heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,The smiles that win, the tints that glow,But tell of days in goodness spent,A mind at peace with all below,A heart whose love is innocent!

Note Bene:

Do you remember when I told you my personal mantra when buying shoes? Buy the shoes and the outfit will come (My Shoe Mantra). Well, here is a perfect example.I bought these shoes because I loved the roped wrapped wooden wedge and of course, the stud detailing on the vamp.When I bought the dress I loved the tribal design…I had no idea the studded detailing on the empire waist would have matched it so beautifully…and both in that beautiful chocolate brown with brass studs…bonus!

Friday, May 27, 2011

There never seems like there is enough time in the day to do things…or to get things done!My day starts off early with an hour of cardio, followed by an hour of yogalaties.Quick shower and get dressed.Then there is breakfast to make, lunches to pack, carpooling, post office, and before I forget, breakfast…and all that before I head to the office.

Then comes the meeting before my dental appointment, a quick trip across town to pick up materials I ordered, meet with the florist, pick-up a gift…oh yeah, have to get it gift wrapped!Eat lunch, another meeting this time with a city council member, quick stop at home to shower and change before the party.Late dinner, cocktails afterwards…I figure I have enough time to fall into bed, before my alarm goes off to start the rat race all over again!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

1. The dressed or tanned hide of an animal, usually with the hair removed.

2. Any of various articles or parts made of dressed or tanned hide, such as a boot or strap.

3. The flap of a dog's ear.

suède

a. Leather finished with a fine velvet-like nap, usually on the flesh side of the skin or hide, produced by abrasive action.

luxe

1. The condition of being elegantly sumptuous.

2.Something luxurious; a luxury.

Isn’t it amazing how leather can transform simple to sexy and instantly elevate a shoe to luxurious?These shoes are luxe deluxe!Leather upper, suede lined footbed, suede wrapped heel and a brushed leather sole…could this shoe have anymore leather?I’ll let you feast on these beauties, while I soak up some sun between showers.